“A Rent Cap Is NOT Rent Control,” Says California’s Prop. 33 Campaign

For Rent sign (Photo- Steven Damron)

Advocates say flawed 2019 ‘California Tenant Protection Act’ is really a Landlord Protection Act.

By News Desk

A new limit on rent increases is taking effect this month in Los Angeles County and across the state.  Housing and rent control advocates from AHF’s Housing Is A Human Right (HHR) and the Yes on Proposition 33 campaign sharply criticize the 2019 California bill (AB 1482) . It caps rents on tenants in buildings not covered by other and/or more restrictive rent stabilization ordinances (RSOs).  The rent control advocates say that it is flawed legislation that more accurately should be called the Landlord Protection Act.

Landlords of non-RSO buildings all over California will be permitted to raise tenant rents up to a maximum of 8.9%. When enacted into law, the limit or cap in the bill, 5% plus the Consumer Price Index or CPI, set a new floor for rent increases around 10% — one that many housing advocates see as far too high.

Proposition 33, sponsored by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is just 23 words:
"The state may not limit the right of any city, county, or city and county to maintain, enact or expand residential rent control.”

“Tenants deserve better than a 10 percent cap when cities with true rent control have as low as 3 percent or 4 percent increases,” said Susie Shannon, campaign director for the Yes on Proposition 33 campaign. “What’s best for tenants is to give them control at the local level to keep rents lower as opposed to the State of California keeping the rent increases close to a maximum 10% increase. That’s what Prop 33 will do. It puts tenants and local communities in the driver’s seat to decide if rent control is right for their own local California communities.”

The average monthly rent on a two-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles County went from about $1,750 in 2019 up to $2,926 in 2024.